Any child from 6 years old to 14 years old (based on child's age as of 5/1/2026). We do allow 5-year-olds to play up to a 6-year-old team. We do restrict 5-year-olds be within six months of the age cutoff. So for current year, the youngest child we can accept would need to have a birthdate prior to 10/31/2019.

Documentation is required for all returning and new players. Official state certified birth certificates or a valid passport are accepted and must be produced when registering.

AA is a competitive intermediate level (usually the step up after rec baseball). AA is split into two divisions. National (intermediate) and American (advanced).

AA National (intermediate) is for kids just moving into competitive baseball from the rec level or those that find the intermediate level as a good challenge. These players have a good beginning knowledge of baseball and are ready for more competition than rec programs can offer.

AA American (advanced) is for kids who have played at the AA National level and are ready to move to the next level of competition without the commitment and expense of AAA travel baseball.

AAA/Majors is for the most advanced/proficient of players who have played at the AA level prior and typically play in weekend tournaments throughout the season. Most AAA teams play the AYL season along with playing tournaments offered by USSSA, Triple Crown, CABA and other tournament providers.

January 24 - Raptors AA Player Evaluations

February 1-7 - Uniform Fittings

March 1 - Practices begin for all teams

April 3 – AA National Regular season games begin and AA American Opening Day Tournament

May 1–2 – AA Mid-Season Classic

June 12 – Regular season playoffs start

June 26 – AYL AA World Series

Register online at the top of the page. Look for the button that states 2027 REGISTRATION - Click Here.

Registration opens mid-October and will only be available until we reach capacity.



The cost for Raptors baseball can change from year-to-year primarily based on our league and field provider’s adjustments in field usage fees, umpire costs and insurance costs.

The cost to play baseball in 2027 is $600.

We do offer payment plans at the time of registration. The first $200 is due when you register, then two additional payments of $200 each will be scheduled to be paid each of the subsequent months afterward.

Registration without a payment does not "hold" a spot on any roster. Any registration without payment will be deleted and no roster spot will be held without payment.

Registration does not include the cost of uniforms or equipment. 

► League Fees such as: Team registration fees, Administrative meeting costs, Game Field permits, Game Field preparation and lighting costs, League Insurance, Umpire fees, League I.T. fees, website administration, scheduling fees, score reporting

► Organizational fees such as: Practice field (indoor & outdoor) usage & permits, Practice Field lighting, evaluation days, evaluation software, organizational administration fees, website administration, practice scheduling, facility rental costs

► Raptors baseball operating expenses such as: bank fees, credit card fees, coaching evaluations, coaches training clinics, coaching education, background checks, administration costs, Coaching and Administrative training, Coaches concussion training

► Team costs such as: League Registration fees, Team Insurance, Team equipment, Team decaling and branding, team photography

Each individual player is responsible for purchasing his/her own game uniforms, glove, batting helmet and cleats. Raptors does not provide batting helmets, or baseball bats.

The required Raptors game uniform consists of two jerseys, white pinstripe pants and grey with team piping pants, an elastic baseball belt and Raptors baseball hat. 

Before purchasing and putting a number on your jersey be sure your jersey number has been confirmed by the Raptors Baseball Director. Jersey numbers are only confirmed at Uniform Fittings

Yes, we do allow the re-use of old uniform pieces as long as they are still a part of our current uniform set and less than two years old. We do ask that uniform pieces be replaced if they are noticeably worn or too small for the player.

Please note the following are new updates to the 2027 uniform.

1. Black Hat with updated Raptors Logo (required for all players)
2. Black jersey updated with Raptors font on the front and removal of last names on the back
3. Green jersey with updated Raptors logo on the front and removal of last names on the back
4. White Pinstripe pants with updated Raptors Logo on beltloop
5. Grey piped pants with updated Raptors Logo on beltloop

Uniforms will be available to order during Uniform fittings at the beginning of February. Raptors Baseball is the only official uniform provider for 2027 uniforms.

For equipment - Raptors will have VIP weekend events scheduled at Dicks Sporting Goods and Monkey Sports in Centennial in December, January and February.

 A baseball player is assigned to a team based upon a few criteria.

1. Team assignments are based on the player's age as of April 30, 2027. 

2. Next we take into account a players experience. We attempt to place all new players on teams with a similar experience and skill levels. This includes a pre-season evaluation of the players in January.

3. We then let our AA American (Advanced level) coaches have input on players they believe are skilled enough for the advanced level.

4. If there are multiple choices, we will try to match the new player with a team that has other players from the same school or within the same High School feeder system.

Raptors baseball players may request to play with a friend or a particular coach. This can be noted on the online registration forms. There is no guarantee that the requests will be honored, but we do our best to make them happen. There are other factors such as team level of competitive play, specific team roster openings amongst other criteria that affect the placement.

No, Raptors does not hold tryouts at the AA level.

Raptors does hold player evaluations to be able to match skill level with appropriate teams and divisions. We do allow players new to the sport, with no previous experience, in our 6U through 8U levels.

Starting at 9U, we will evaluate players to make sure they meet the minimum skill set and knowledge of the game where they will be able to be productive at the AA level.

The cost for attending the player evaluations is $20 per player. The Player Evaluations will be held on January 24, 2027. The evaluation fee will need to be paid during registration or can be added at the evaluations.

In some cases, the Raptors executive baseball board will suggest some players move to the Town of Castle Rock recreation league based on skill level or knowledge base shown at evaluations. If this is suggested it is because the player’s base skillset is below the minimum level that will make AA baseball enjoyable for the player. Our job is to make sure every kid has an enjoyable experience and successful season of baseball, even if that means playing in a beginner level recreation league league.

No individual teams or coaches are permitted to host a tryout for AA team or players. At the AAA & Majors level there are tryouts that are ran and facilitated by the Head coach of that particular team.

Raptors will not allow any non-registered players to attend evaluations.

Evaluations are ran on a per age group basis. So only one age group will participate at a time. We will have multiple stations set up for evaluations to include Speed, Hitting, Pitching, Fielding and throwing. Each athlete will rotate between the station and the entire evaluation process will last about two hours per age group. PLEASE NOTE EVALUATIONS ARE CLOSED FROM PARENTAL INTERACTION WITH THE COACHES.

Due to limited capacity, Raptors Baseball runs on a first come first served policy. 

Returning players that want to remain on the same team will have first priority for that team provided the coach is also requesting the player back on the roster.

A returning player that wishes to change teams must still register before their age group fills up to guarantee their roster spot. The returning player requesting to change teams will need to attend evaluations so they can be correctly placed on another team.

Should a returning player wish to change teams for any reason please contact the Raptors Baseball Director as soon as possible.

Jersey numbers are assigned at Uniform Fittings. If you player did not get their number at fittings, than the number is not guarenteed.

Each age group is assigned one set from 00-99. Only one player in each age group will have that jersey number assigned to them. The jersey numbers used by returning players are also maintained for that player as long as they remain a Raptor. However, players will have to choose a new number if they are playing up an age group, or coming back to their correct age group if they played up previously. Should a returning player fail to register by the end of uniform fittings, they will forfeit the right to their previous jersey number.

On the registration, you will be given the option to request three jersey numbers. Two of those choices will be allowed from 00-99, but the third must be a number from 50-99.

Raptors will then assign jersey numbers based on requests in order received by date of registration. The earlier you register the greater the chance of getting the jersey number you want.

Team size can vary depending upon the number of kids registering to play but the preferred roster size is 12 kids for AA teams.

RAPTORS WILL NOT ROSTER A TEAM WITH LESS THAN 11 PLAYERS.

RAPTORS WILL NOT EXCEED 13 ON A ROSTER UNLESS REQUESTED BY THE COACH.

Most 6U and 7U rosters will have 12-13 kids because the rules of the league allow those age groups to have 10 kids in the field at the same time on defense.

All Raptors practice fields are located within Castle Rock.

Teams will be given 2 practices per week in the preseason prior to games starting. Once the regular season starts, teams will continue to have two practices per week (April - June) but those might be reduced to one practice per week depending on field availability.

Due to Raptors renting fields from the Town of Castle Rock and DC Parks, PRACTICE FIELDS DO CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE SEASON. Even though Raptors will do its best to keep teams on the same nights, the fields might change as the permits change throughout the season.

The start and end time for practices take into account the team's age, coaches work schedule and field availability. Generally, practices are 90 minutes long and are from 5-6:30pm, 6:00-7:30PM, 7:00-8:30PM and 8:00-9:30pm. 

5 to 8-year-olds will have practices that end no later than 7:30pm (unless otherwise requested by the coach)

9 to 11-year-olds will have practices that end no later than 8:30pm

12 and above can and will practice until 9:30pm. 

Older age groups will get earlier practices if the practice schedule allows.

Raptors does our best to give teams a 90 minute uninterrupted practice time where they are the only team on the field.

Depending on number of teams, teams might have to go to the top of the hour scheduling model. Teams will have the use of the majority of the field for 60 minutes of their practice. During the last 30 minutes of each teams practice, the next team will show up and get to use a small part of the outfield to warm up. Teams must be VERY AWARE of the time as we continually rotate teams onto the field at the top of every hour.

Games will be played on both days of the weekends throughout April, May and June.

AYL Games will not be played on the following days: Easter Sunday and Memorial Day weekend (all subject to change if needed)

 All teams qualify for the post-season AYL World Series tournament. The number of tournament games that a team can play depends on how many games a team can win. In some cases, teams can play 2-3 games in a day. In addition, teams will play in the AYL mid-season Classic tournament the first weekend of May.

The AYL is comprised of Member Clubs establishing teams in the South Metro area communities of Littleton, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, South Aurora, Parker, Castle Rock, Cherry Creek and South Jeffco. Games can be played at fields reserved by any of these organizations.

Regular season games are scheduled for Saturday (9AM-9PM) and Sunday (10AM-8PM). The first regular-season games will be scheduled for Saturday, April 3, 2027. The regular season runs through the first weekend in June. Postseason playoffs begin immediately following the conclusion of the regular season and continue with the AYL World Series tournament that is scheduled for June 26, 2027.

Games may be postponed or canceled by weather, field issues or other unforeseen issues. There is no guaranteed minimum number of games from AYL. Cancelled Games are not typically rescheduled, but if the need arises they will be rescheduled ASAP and can be played on any day of the week.

Baseball requires significant preparation and practice as well as a strong commitment to the team. Family vacations during the season are highly discouraged. Depending upon team rules, playing time may be impacted because of the time your player misses due to a vacation. You are encouraged to schedule your vacations prior to or after the season to avoid playing time impact. If you must schedule a family vacation during the season, please inform your head coach as soon as possible to understand how your team is impacted.

it is also imperative to read our financial policy regarding forfeits as most forfeits result from families going on vacation during the season. AYL purposefully schedules through June to leave the entire month of July open for family vacations.

Anytime a team forfeits an AYL league game, the AYL will mark the forfeit at a 10-0 loss and assess a fine for the forfeiting team. There will also be field and umpire fees that will be assessed as well. The Raptors Baseball Board will discuss the cause of the forfeit with the team coach. The coach will provide us with those families whose absence created the forfeit.

If the forfeit was deemed unexcused and avoidable, then the families responsible for creating the forfeit will be responsible to paying the league forfeit fines and fees. If the head coach does not provide those that created the forfiet, then the fines will be split evenly among the entire team.

Forfeits not only effect your own team, but your opponents, the umpires the field providers and the league. 

Forfeit charges will be added to the account of those responsible for making their team forfeit. If the forfeit occurs during the regular season, those players responsible will become ineligible to play until their forfeit fines are paid. If the forfeit occurs in the playoffs, then the fines will be added to the players account and are due within 7 days. If they are not paid within 7 days, then the outstanding balance can and will be sent to collections. Also, families responsible for forfeits who have not paid their forfeit fines will not be allowed to play within Raptors Athletics until those fines are paid. 

All registration fees, administrative fees, and uniform costs are non-refundable once the registration is submitted, regardless of injury, relocation, or change of mind. At this time, we do not offer registration insurance.

Anyone can apply to be a head coach. 

The process involves:

1. Registering as a head coach on the Raptors Baseball page
2. Filling out a head coach application
   
3. Participating in an interview with the Director of Baseball
   
4. Submitting to a background check
   
5. Completing the mandatory yearly concussion training
   
6. Mandatory attendance and participation in player evaluations
   
7. Mandatory attendance at the AA World Series even if your team is not playing

Coaches must also be willing to participate in yearly AYL coach trainings/meetings and are encouraged to attend any local coaching clinics if they can as well. All Raptors Head Coaches should also be signed up for Coachesinsider.com to provide access to online coaching clinics, drills and training.

The head coach will be responsible to appoint his/her own assistant coaches. Every team will be allowed one head coach and two assistant coaches.

If you are interested in Head Coaching for Raptors baseball please contact the Raptors Baseball Director. 

Raptors is a 100% volunteer organization. While many of our coaches have been with us for many years, we have new coaches every season and are always looking for more interested coaches to continue to grow our program. In the situation where a roster is formed from registrations but there is no coach for that team, we will reach out to the parents of those players to fill the coaching role - we understand it's a big commitment but it's also a very rewarding one!

Teams are formed by the beginning of February. Once the team is formed an email will go out to the entire team informing them of their team and the coach.

If we are unable to find a coach prior to the first practice of the year, then the team will be disbanded.

Coaches will be contacting their players/teams by the 3rd week in February. If you have not been contacted by the last week in February please contact the Baseball Director.

The AYL baseball rule book will be available on the AYL baseball website prior to the start of the 2027 season.

As a competitive organization players may not receive equal play time. However, at the AA level, Raptors has their own rule that every player must sit one inning prior to any player sitting a second inning for the weekend.

For league specific play time rules please visit the AYL baseball rules at www.aylsports.org

AYL's playing time rule states at AA every player in attendance must bat in the batting order and play 6 of the first 15 defensive outs in AA games. The only exception to this is in instance of injury or disciplinary action from the coach

At Raptors Baseball, success is measured by more than wins and losses. While every team competes to win, our greatest priority is developing better baseball players and stronger individuals, both on and off the field.

We believe in playing to win, not winning at all costs. Our coaches emphasize fundamentals, skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and providing meaningful opportunities for every player to grow. We recognize that prioritizing short-term results over player development can limit opportunities and take away from the overall experience.

A successful season means our players finish more skilled, confident, resilient, and knowledgeable about the game than when they started. Learning to win with humility, lose with grace, and overcome adversity are lessons that extend far beyond baseball.

Our goal is simple: Develop great players, build strong character, and create a positive baseball experience where winning is a result of doing things the right way.

Raptors Baseball does not offer a fall baseball program, primarily because our field permits expire in July. However, we also strongly believe in Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD) and encourage our players to participate in multiple sports throughout the year.

Playing different sports helps young athletes develop coordination, agility, strength, and overall athleticism while reducing the risks of overuse injuries and burnout associated with early specialization. Sports such as football, soccer, basketball, hockey, lacrosse, and wrestling all provide valuable skills that translate to the baseball field.

For families interested in fall baseball, we will share information about opportunities offered by other AYL organizations near the end of the current season. Coaches and parents are welcome to organize teams independently, but Raptors does not coordinate or manage fall teams.

Our philosophy is simple: Better athletes become better baseball players. Developing well-rounded athletes today creates healthier, stronger, and more successful players tomorrow.